I finally have decided to tackle the dreaded job of painting my living room and entry. It is currently a pumpkin color with a faux finish applied over it. It is obvious a good primer will be needed! Does anyone have any experience with the paint with primer in one?

Yes we used it and are very pleased with it. I will never go back to priming and then painting again! It took less product and fewer coats to use the primer and paint combo.

And- we used Wal~Mart brand too.

I am about as anti-WM as they come but I have used more WM brand paint than I can remember and have always had good results with it.

Have tried the combo but prefer the old method - prime, then paint for both coverage/quality reasons plus cost. For your room, I would definitely tint the primter.

JMHO.

AguaBella...when you say tint the primer, what tint would be added to go from something as dark as I have to a beige-ish color? So not looking forward to a two step process.

Thank you for the heads up on WM! I will check it out.

Even if you use the so called all in one paint-primer, you are still going to need two coats. According to my paint contractors, the best way is the tried and true: prime first, then paint. We always use Zinsser 123 which is sold at most box stores.

Scroll down a bit on this post about paint and primer to the reply from fun colors.

http://ths.gardenweb.com/forum...sg1216392923987.html

I seldom use primer when changing colors and generally prime only if there is new drywall.

Hope that helps.

Believe your project's special because you're covering a faux finish. Going from oil to latex?

If the faux treatment was heavily applied, you may need do extra sanding during prep. Otherwise, the previous faux treatment will appear as a texture. WRT the tint, it's normally your replacement color.

Zinsser's makes some primers that might be optimal for your situation. I would visit a regular paint counter and explain the particulars - they'll recommend one.

Good Luck! Let us know how it goes -

Beau's Rose....thank you! Very informative and Definintly has me rethinking the whole 2 in 1.

AguaBella...the "faux" painting was done by myself so certainly not a proper technique. If I remember correctly it was darker paint and a "glaze" that I mixed with equal parts water. The pumpkin is going to be the difficult color to cover not the haphazard faux. I must think I'm a professional?

Picked up a couple of samples from Sherwin Williams today and they told me about their "super paint", which they believe will cover nicely. Unfortunately, the samples I chose to have made up do not go very well with my trim. This is certainly the time I wish I had a designer to just pick for me!

do you still have any trim paint left? You could paint a stirring stick and bring it with you when selecting the color for the wall to make sure it coordinates. But take it outside (the sample and the stick you bring) to see it in natural light. Then bring the sample home to make sure it still looks like your color in your home and lighting.

It is NOT easy to pick paint colors, especially in this modern day when they mix paint with so many undertones.

And I would prime (we use Zinsser), you don't want that color underneath peeking through anywhere in the room.

Unfortunately, I do not have any trim paint left. I have tried to match it throughout the years for touch up and such but never a true match.

Not sure at this point if I am going to come up with something that will be appeasing to the family. They have teased me for years about my "taco casa" walls but now have mysteriously taken to them when I am finally willing to make a change.

It is, quite a difference. This sample is Sherwin Williams Kilim Beige.

This is another sample I brought home. Sherwin Williams Latte. I am not loving it. It just looks like a Khaki color that I painted my house 15 years ago.

I would not make a decision UNTIL you absolutely LOVE the new color! There are so many beige tones... and it is hard to tell what a new color would look like NEXT to the old color. MY advice.... PRIME the whole room, cover up ALL the pumpkin and then bring home samples....

You are committing anyway to paint... and then you will see a lighter room to work with... and you can match the new beige to the kitchen/eating area and the other rooms off the pumpkin rooms AND something that matches the trim.

I'm just not sure if I am capable of loving beige. I can recognize that pumpkin needs to move on and it is time for a major change. When I look at inspiration photos, it is always the beige tones that I think are the most attractive. I like your idea of priming first to get perspective but I may not have the energy to move forward with the paint! It is all cut in work, very little actual wall space. I am banking on the "super paint" that Sherwin Williams offers. I prefer the idea of 2 coats of paint vs. 1 coat of primer plus 2 coats. If I could only find a color that is!!!

So appreciate everyone's input!

well you have a lot of cool grays with that pumpkin and a taupe will wash out your frames.

Have you tried gray tones with slight green tint, or slight blue tint (slight).

or slight gold tones? In other words you liked the room WARM so you could keep it warm with greens, reds (light brick), gold....

to cool it down, blues... Have you considered white? like a creamy slightly off white like pale butter color or off white like Ivory?

You just need to match it with the kitchen. You start in the ROOM with the latest changes you do NOT have to change out... THEN match from there, that should help you get momentum, BUT you can't see the potential with all that pumpkin in place.

BTW I do love that pumpkin color, was a great choice for that room! What about washing it with a GLAZE that has some gray (cool) or gold (warm) in it? Just a thought since you are considering options.

Since your accessories are mostly with gray tones it is hard to pull a color out to choose from.

MY Pinterest board with Greige color choices saved on it. Maybe there is something there that could spark your creativity!
http://pinterest.com/mary_ruth...ered-uncovered-wood/

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Mary Ruth,

i don't know anything about paint but have to tell you...i LOVE the color of your kitchen!!! it is just stunning!

Mary Ruth...your Pinterest board has me swooning! Gorgeous Greige! I believe I picked up a card at SW that is actually called greige. Thank you so much for lending me your eyes and your knowledge!

Wonder how many more trips I will be making to SW before this is all said and done. I don't want to think about it!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: my2gals,

Definitely understand your desire to do only 2 coats. Because you haven't selected your color and are covering pumpkin/faux, I agree with Mary Ruth - would start with an untinted primer. That way, you can evaluate sample colors w/o distortion of the previous color.

Given your adjoining rooms (beautiful kitchen, BTW), I would test coverage of the faux treatment WRT the texture level. The major time investment will most likely be in prep time.

When you attempted to match the trim color, did anyone look up the formula? (Just curious -) If you haul samples of your colors, fabrics, frames and other items from the room, hopefully you can select several samples and cut down on your SW trips!

Good Luck!

I had to go look and see what everyone was talking about. You are the one with that gorgeous kitchen

What about the color used in your kitchen eating area? Maybe a shade darker than that?

AguaBella, I have taken drawers in to attempt to get a match and it just has never been a perfect. It is high time to touch up all trim throughout my house so I will need to get serious with getting it figured out. This is not my strong suit at all. So frustrating!

Thank you Wanda I was thinking the same thing as far as possibly going a shade darker than kitchen but the samples chosen thus far look too tan/khaki. Still trying though!

This is SW Windsor Greige. Is my trim grey??? Who knew?

SW Kilim Beige in kitchen area.

Found it! Perfect Grey/Beige combo.

I love that combination!

Great color combos - looks like the greige is pulling out the grey undertones from your trim.

Yes, figured you were trying to match the paint that way. Too bad you don't have an old paint can or the name of the shade (even if discontinued) for someone to pull the formula.

Shot in the dark but could it be BM White Dove - one of the most popular trim colors?

Good Luck!

AguaBella, may be Benjamin Moore white dove. I chose it 13 years ago and I'm at a loss. Seems like it was a Kelly Moore paint. Back when we built our home it was the paint that held everything up! Choosing everything else was a breeze, paint was a nightmare for me. Builder suggested my trim and wall color and out of frustration I just went with it!

I'm heading over to Ace Hardware to pick up a few Benjamin Moore samples so I will look out for white dove. Their are several of their whites that look interesting. I think I may be looking for an easier way out at his point. While I know white won't be easy, this beige/off white really has me stumped!

I have Pinterest boards to save ALL that makes me swoon! LOL Makes me feel better anytime I need it, just browsing my finds, I have GREAT daydreams while viewing!

You won't be able to match your trim exactly because it has been exposed to UV rays and fading, changing for those years, and paint formulas have changed so much.

Remember I told you that ONCE you start to 'redo' in your home, it SPREADS to a whole floor (then upstairs if you have one)...

I took home about 40 samples and make about 20 trips to Lowe's before finding my paint colors for my house. And once I committed I still had the 'faint of heart' feeling when we put them up.. I thought 'OH NO, what have I done'? But once all the paint was up, the rooms did coordinate and the 'brightness' of the colors I chose did calm down in my eyes. I went from all white walls to each room having a color. Yes, SHOCK... but I was willing to live through the experience, now I love all the color around me.

I think you should pick your wall color (paint a sample of your kitchen walls on a paint stirrer and bring it with you and RESELECT your trim and wall paint as IF you were in a brand new house.

Then commit to priming the pumpkin... DO NOT put colors up against the pumpkin color because it is NOT going.

When people (ever watch the shows when they re-arrange furniture) redesign a room... they EMPTY it. There is a reason for that. Because for people who decorate their own house, tend to 'leave something' in the room that goes WELL with current decor... NOT realizing that it MIGHT not FIT in the new scheme. Being afraid of totally purging and then buying new, we all 'leave the old footprints' in the room hoping we have an 'easy fix' on our hands!

Commitment to redo a 'whole floor' of public spaces is like diving in a pool... we want to acclimate to the water first and slowly slide in with no shock... YOU DID THAT in the kitchen... IF you love your kitchen, (and it is beautiful) then TRUST that your instincts for the other spaces WILL be just as beautiful... and be cohesive with a total look for the house.

I know I use a lot of words, but it is not an easy explanation to pass on, and not an easy fix to change a house over.

I moved to Florida with my favorite accessories and few pieces of furniture, and I tell you, by changing the background with color instead of white, EVERYTHING looks different! I have gone through a period of trying to visualize lots of different scenarios for my house, it is NOT EASY! So, if you feel overwhelmed, it is what we ALL go through when changing out...

Frustration... welcome to the club! All of us who post here ARE people who try to upgrade our homes constantly and want to learn all we can about how to achieve that...hang in there, YOU WILL get through this, take a deep breath and ELIMINATE what colors you don't like, and continue with the search of what you DO like, one sample that is a 'YES' will lead you to the rest (coordinate with that 'yes' sample)!

Whites are toughies b/c they make them with so many different undertones. Usually best to select the trim color last so it complements your base color.

Definitely not necessary to match the old color exactly but it helps to have the same undertones to maintain flow throughout your home. White Dove, IMHO, does have grey undertones so it might work with both the last colors you posted and your existing base color(s).

Any of the main paint counters can easily pull up the BM White Dove formula and provide you with a sample. I'm sure they'd help you select a couple of other options by their undertones, after selecting your base color.

Definitely agree with Mary Ruth about everything. Unless and until you prime over that pumpkin, you won't be able to see the true colors in natural light at various times of the day.

Yes, your project may expand, if you start freshening the trim. Unfortunately, painting begets painting begets ...

Have fun!

Thank you so much ladies!
Finished staining entertainment center same dark stain as kitchen cabinets last night. I have to say the pumpkin looked so much nicer up against the dark cabinetry. I will be painting for the next few days. I chose SW Pavillion Beige. I'm not convinced it was the right choice. Forging forward, however!

Show us the photos! We are hanging in there with you!

Good luck with the painting project! It takes courage, and you have that!

I am glad you continued your darker stain like kitchen cabinets making them unified and RICH with color.

After your are finished painting, the next decisions can be handled then... I admire your 'forge ahead' and commit with positive attitude and trusting your instincts!

*

It's coming along beautifully. Its a bit of a tough pill to swallow going from such a warm color to something so much lighter and cooler. The pumpkin did not photograph well, but in person it was very inviting.

I just have the entry to finish trimming out. Busy with my girls this weekend so job has been put on hold until tomorrow morning. I have been shopping the house trying to bring in things that will make it appear warmer. . The goal of unifying the house has been reached. Yay!!

I will post pics this week. Thank you for the encouragement!

WOW a positive post so soon before finishing! Can't wait to see the results!

Good grief...long delay over here in Texas! Finished up the painting and staining of the living room. Who would have thought getting a photo would be the most difficult part?

I cringe a bit because these photos do not do anything any justice in my mind. I am happy with the end result and definitely feel as if a more cohesive look has been achieved.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: my2gals,

after...

Kitchen & living...

a better depiction of wall and cabinet color...

before showing pumpkin wall color as seen from kitchen..

Good job! Wow, you are a fast worker. You got the whole back together and everything!

I loved the color you had before, but this looks much brighter.

Thank you Wanda. I am a pretty impatient person, I will be placing stuff back where it belongs before paint is even completely dry. Pretty ridiculous!

I agree you walls looked beautiful before but I do like the lighter feel the new color gives to your room. Your kitchen and surrounding rooms are lovely!

Wow, I absolutely LOVE your home! Every room is beautiful; nicely done!

Thank you Annie. The pumpkin was so cozy but just out stayed its welcome. I think I decided it had been there 9 years!!! Redoing the kitchen really pushed me to finally make a change.

Thank you AKSunny!

My gals,

Wow you are fast with the paint brush! Your paint color on one of the Concepts in Color swatches. Check the link and it looks like SW 6385 Dover White is a coordinating color.

https://www.sherwin-williams.com/visualizer/#

ETA: The link does not carry over the paint color selected. If you play with the link and Explore colors and then put in the pavillion beige is should come up with selections for you.

Are you trying to match a current piece of trim? Is there a small piece that you can carefully pry off and take to the store for a match?

Good luck with the painting!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Beau's Rose,

Looks terrific, my2g! For the record, Pavilion Beige is the wall color, correct? How about your trim?

Funny, I always think of SW's PavBeige as fairly warm but I'll bet it was a shock to your system, compared to the pumpkin. Hope you found some warm accessories! Loved your pumpkin, BTW - it felt like a warm hug, even over the mb's.

More importantly, do you like it??

Thanks for taking the time to post your B&A photos. The f/r and your gorgeous new kitchen now flow perfectly and feel completely cohesive.

WOW, what a change, you must be LOVING it!

Now the kitchen is not 'disjointed' with the rest of the space!

You are FAST!

If you put framed pictures up before the wall is completely dry, it can 'warp' (from moisture) the paper, so be careful.

Thank you! I was feeling like it was dragging on so it makes me feel good that you all think I'm a fast worker!

The color is slowly beginning to feel warmer to me. It's funny how AguaBella mentioned the pumpkin felt like a "warm hug". It certainly did.

I am using different lighting now which is a bit curious to me. I hardly ever turned overhead lighting on previously and now the use of the overhead lighting really warms up the space.

I think I will have to repaint the trim in a more contrasting color. I couldn't get the Sherwin Williams link to work on iPad but I will pull out laptop and give it a look!

Thank you for the encouragement and interest in my project!